Medieval Money in Latvia

Field of science researching coins and banknotes is called Numismatics. Coins are great source from you can research the financial and monetary system in the past. Coins are also good to explore the state symbols and personalities, for the coin often depicts state prominences and symbols.

Before the introduce of coin,prehistoric used barter to exchange various things. Barter was used in many prehistoric societies. When civilizations got more complicated they required more stable way of exchange.  In Baltic lands, the most valuable piece of trade was amber. Amber is fossilized   tree resin. It originates from deep pre-human times and can only found at coast of Baltic Sea. Mostly amber is found in Lithuania and Kalliningrad Oblast Russsia and at shores at Curland, Latvia. Ancient Greeks and Romans found amber very beautiful and useful for jewelry. Ancient Greek scientists found that amber can make electricity.  First signs of amber trade was found Middle Neolithic Stone Age. At swamp village of Sārnate locals built amber manufacture. They exchanged amber for flint and shale work tools.

In Bronze Age early Latvians already maintained both st0ckraising and farming economy and craftsmanship. Now locals exchanged cattle, animal fur, amber to bronze casting and bronze tools. First deposits dates from this time.

First coins in Latvia comes from Roman Empire. Roman historian Tacitus in his Germania, writes that local Baltic tribes Aesti (probably Balts) receives money reward with wonder for their amber. It’s probably because local Balts did not know what to do with coin money, they view it as just as some pieces of metal. Despite that they kept and made deposits and took them in their graves, believing it could be valuable in afterlife.  The main Roman value was Libra (pound). After fall of Roman Empire and chaos in Europe Latvia did not receive any coins until 8. century. The main currency was silver witch came from Russia and Scandinavia.

At 9. century Latvia received large amount of Arabian Dirhams. Arabian Caliphate was the main power in that time and it traded with Kievan Russ and the Dirhams came to Latvia on their way to Scandinavia. The museums in Moscow, Stockholm and Tallinn holds much more Dirhams than Eastern European museums. In island of Gotland 40 000 Dirhams has  been found. In Latvia there has been 2 343 Dirhams located. Only 24 exemplars of Byzantine Empire currency silver miliaries.

In 10. century first Western European coins arrived at Latvian land. Silver Denars from Germany, Denmark, Moravia and Hungary. In Western Europe main silver mines were located at Germany and England.  There were many types of coins because the rights of coin forging were for not only Kaisers, but also for dukes, counts and bishops. At 11. century the monetary crisis again made “no coin” period in Latvia. The main currency were silver bars. At this time the most deposits were found.

At 13. century when the age of Crusades emerged the new power re-established coins in Latvia. The new Livonian Confederation issued a Gotlandic currency the Marc of Riga (marca Rigensis).  From middle of 13. century the main coins were one-sided Pheninngs. On coins were depicted the keys of Riga and crossed swords.

Because of inner political crisis in 14. century the coin forging was temporally stopped.  When restarted the new currency was Lübeck Pfennigs. Lübeck was center of Hanseatic League, and Livonian cities were part of it. In 1422.-1426. monetary reform came to effect and Livonian Monetary Union started its work.

Currencies in Livonia were many. 1 Marc was 4 Verdins or 36. Shillings. Sometimes in Livonia silver Dalders and golden Ducats.

The monetary freedom of Livonia were canceled after fall of Livonian Confederation. New powers, Poles, Swedes and Russians issued new currencies. It will be disused in future.

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Sacral Architecture of Medieval Riga

New Catholic Christian German government along with castles and fortifications built many churches to establish their power. Many them still remain in Riga and serves as the monuments of history. Some of the churches are important outside Europe for the church of Saint Peter was tallest tower in Europe for some time.

In old Medieval Riga which today is known as the Old Riga there were eight churches. First versions of these churches were built from wood so we don’t know how they looked like. All churches have many different building stages, so they don’t look monolith, for building time was long and plans changed many times.

First church of Riga was the Dome Cathedral. It was started in 1215. It was finished at 1300. in Romanesque style and Gothic style. Although it has no dome it was called Dome cathedral because Latvian and German name Doms meant cathedral.  Dome Cathedral was Catholic church until 16. century when in the event of Reformation it was given to Lutheran church. Cathedral interior got many Baroque and Classicism style upgrades during the years and today Cathedral is compilation of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Classicism.  In 20. century late thirties around the Cathedral government ordered to remove block of buildings to create new square. The square was called in honor of 1934. 15. May when Karlis Ulmanis came to power. In result the cathedral got its own square which its now called as the Dome square. Square is home to many festivities during the summer, it often serves as the place for political rallies. In summer its best place where to enjoy Latvian beer. One the notable cathedral landmarks are enormous pipe organs built in 1884. and were the largest pipe organs in the world at that time. Organs still works today. Cathedral is also used for academic concerts. During the 1991. January barricade movement cathedral was used as hospital.

Near the Latvian Parliament there is church of Saint James. Church was first mentioned in 1225.  It was built in Gothic style. After the Reformation church became a Catholic Cathedral and the main center for Latvian Catholic church.

St. Peters church was built as merchant church and first mentioned 1216. The church was built in large size and most largest component was its tower. But the tower was destroyed many times. In 1721. the tower was struck by lightning and caught fire. In rescue works Peter I The Great, Emperor of Russia  helped to extinguish burning tower. He was at Riga at the following moment.  In 1941. the tower was again bought down by German artillery shells. Tower was used as observing post for Soviets and was destroyed by Germans. But Germans themselves blamed Jews for the calamity and used this to justify the Holocaust. Church was in ruins for many years until in 1973. it was restored. In 2009. the Church Golden Rooster was bought down for repair works. It was done by skilled Alpinist’s.   Today tower is 123 meters high and is used as tourist attraction. From 70 meters tourists can view Riga from above.

The church of St. John is small beautiful with Gothic look and fine stained glass paintings.

In the Modern age near the old Medieval churches new ones were built. Church of Reformates  was built in 1732. Near the Dome Cathedral in 1785. the Church Our Lady of Suffering a fine Catholic church with magnificent interior. The most recent church is Anglican Church built in 1858. The Church has became notorious for fundamental Christians and homophobes, because the Church leaders openly supports same-sex marriages here.

The three tall towers of Riga Churches made essential Riga landmark. From opposite side of Daugava you can see these three churches as they dominate Riga skyline.

UK election fights and Latvian SS legion. An political farce

Today in main Latvian newspaper Diena I came across news about Liberal Labor politician using facts of Latvian history to counter his opponents the Conservatives.  David Miliband has accused the Conservative party of joining forces with Latvian Conservatives Nationalist Party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK in EU parliament.  The problem is that the named party supports the remembrance day of Latvian Waffen SS Legion in 16. March. So the man points out that Conservatives who could defeat Labors in following elections are partners with the dark forces. I understand that this a political struggle and such attempts of making scandals with controversies happens in  every  election campaign in every democratic country including Latvia. But when historical scores are used than they need deeper explanation because the problem of Latvian Waffen SS Legion is not so simple.

First its a myth that For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK is strong nationalist force in Latvia. It failed miserably in 2009. municipal elections when they lost all seats in Riga City Council including the seat of Major of Riga. Yes they have one deputy in EU Parliament Mr. Roberts Zīle, but this intelligent man is far from being accused of Nazi sympathies.  However there is other man in Latvian Parliament Juris Dobelis an political chauvinist and xenophobe who had called publicly ”death to the occupants!’ meaning Russian speaking population of Latvia. Yet he is married with Ukrainian woman. Yes the party is looking to join forces with more radical nationalist party All for Latvia who is calling for authoritarian government.

But the second part is more important- is calling Latvian SS Legion Nazis is justified or its a lie to fool masses.

Latvian Waffen SS Legion was formed in 1943. Before that no Latvian soldier was in SS ranks. There were self defense brigades and police battalions and Arājs Commando who took excessive part in Holocaust in Latvia. But that is different story. These formations were used for German occupational purposes and those who killed the Jews and Gypsies and mentally ill people can be judged as Nazis. But Latvian SS Legion was other case.

Before the German failure at Stalingrad, Germans were against use of non-German soldiers in their ranks. But when the tide turned Hitler was forced to allow non-Aryan people to join the SS. First the legion was intended as voluntary, because Germans hoped that Latvians would join the legion eagerly. Many man really joined, but not because they liked Hitler or Himler, because they feared the return of Soviet occupation. In 1940. Latvia was brutally occupied and annexed by Soviet Union. The lost of independence, the repressions and deportation in 1941. 14. June to Siberia was disastrous to young man who joined the legion. The deportation was so horrific, that after few days when Germany invaded Soviet Union they were met as liberators. The main reason for many who voluntary joined the legion was hope that fighting the German side could prevent Latvia from another Soviet occupation. There were also hope that war could end with new war between Allies and Soviets and legion could be used to restore Latvian independence. But Germans never fully assembled voluntary force, so they were forced to mobilize. The largest side of Latvian legion were mobilized man forced go to war against their will. Many of them were schoolmates taken from their seats and sent into rouge flag slaughter.

And Latvian SS Legion was Waffen SS Legion- it means  it took service on front lines, not in concentration camps or other Nazi terror sites. It fought the most bloodiest battles, Germans sent them on the most hottest combat sites where Wermacht did not want to fight.

Latvian Waffen SS Legion is not like all standard German SS formations, it deserves different attention. So use of this historical tragedy for Latvian nation in United Kingdoms political fights is reprehensible and inequitable.  Latvian SS Legion was tragedy for Latvian nation, which even could be called genocide, because many Latvian man lost their lives under rouge flag and many had their life’s destroyed when they became prisoners of war and persona non grata in Soviet Union.

The Latvian SS Legion were not Nazis, they were victims of Nazis. So I believe such judgments  by this British politician is ill-fated and recalls of Russian anti-Latvian propaganda.  The Western Europe still needs learn the real history and if they had not learned yet than they better stay quiet.

The Medieval Riga

Riga was founded in 1201. when Bishop Albert settled there. Before him there was native villages inhabited by Livonians and Latgallians. And there were a settlement by German Merchants who chose this place as their trading base. Bishop Albert chose this site as the base of operations for his Crusader campaign. Riga had crucial role in Crusades. From Riga Crusader armies marched at all directions in Latvian lands, conquering Curland, Semigallia, Latgallia, Selonia and Vidzeme. Native armies tried to capture the strong-point, but all failed and Riga withstood as the main Crusader capitol. Since then Riga located at middle of Latvia has become as the main center of Latvia. Its been called the “water-head”" of Latvia since Riga has all services for workers, and all national administration is located there. Other smaller towns except Daugavpils or Liepaja could not offer what Riga has, so in the past decades Riga has been inhabited in large masses by country people.

The beginnings of Riga where at the right side of river Daugava, where distributary of Riga Speķupe (The Ham River), blocked at Kube hills took circle to Daugava. This distributary were called Riga or Rīdziņa. Near the entry in river Daugava, river Riga made extension called Lake of Riga. There was the first port of Riga. Other distributary of Daugava near Riga is Sarkandaugava (Red Daugava), or the Punishment Ditch.

Near Riga there is three big entries of rivers Daugava, Lielupe and Gauja. Near Riga there is some large lakes like lake of Babīte, lake Ķīšezers, lake of Jugla.

During the springtime floods Riga was endangered, because entry of river Daugava was full of sand reefs and Riga was located at just 4 meters above the sea level.  Many disastrous floods had been recorded in 1363, 1562, 1578 and 1590. In 16. century river Daugava changed its entry in Vecāķi but then in 16. century it broke the dune walls and found more straight way to sea. River Riga also had trouble, it slowly became contaminated by city garbage and the buildings of dams in order to prevent floods which closed the water flow from Speķupe to river Riga. Because of wall building river Riga was completely closed from Speķupe and became as standing water reservoir.  Since it was polluted it was leveled in 18.-19. century and today where river Riga once flow their streets and buildings.

Based on this all Riga had ideal position for trade, administration and it was the main key of Baltic Region. It never lost its strategic importance in all ages.

First years of Riga was turbulent for it was many times attacked by native forces. Most dangerous was attack by Curonians from the sea in 1210.  But all attacks were repulsed and Riga was main base of operations for the Crusaders. In 1221. Riga was almost taken by Danes when Bishop Albert was forced to became vassal of Danish king Waldemar II. But that was met by heavy resistance from local citizens who did not allow Danish kings envoy Gotshalk to enter Riga. But in 1223. Waldemar II was held captive by vassal and Denmark lost its concessions in Baltic lands.

After that the main civil government of Riga became the Town Council or rāte. Town Council consisted of 12 consuls or Town Councilors, later the number added to the 20 Town Councilors. Town Council existed until 19. century eighties when it was reformed by Russian Imperial Administration.   Town Council was elected by Town Assembly, but in 13. century the Town Council elected themselves and Town Assembly was used for decorative purposes.   The four main Town Councilors where Burgomasters one of them where Higher Burgomaster who run the Town Council. He was something like Major of Riga these days.

Town Council managed all aspects of Riga, the ruling, organizing, and justice as well as commanding of armed forces. In 1226. Riga got first Coat of Arms. Walls, gate and two towers symbolized the stability of the city, but keys of St. Peter meant that town is in protection of Curry of Rome, and Cross in the middle showed that town is under Bishop’s official rule. Coat of Arms changed many times do to the changing powers that ruled the town.

Town Council had constant struggle with two seniors the Bishop and the Order.  Bishop and Order was in struggle themselves too, the war between then affected Riga. In 1297. the constant tension evolved into full scale conflict- it started as a dispute over a bridge over Daugava, which were made to build dam. Order demolished the bridge to let some of their ships pass. This caused the conflict which made half of Riga burn to ashes and Order’s castle was captured by locals. Castle was destroyed, but Order was far from giving up. Order prevented the counter coalition of Bishoprics of Riga, Dorpat and Ōsel-Weik capturing Archbishop of   Riga and started the blockade of Riga. Riga was forced to sign alliance of pagan Lithuania. First alliance was successful, the castle near Cesis the Windmill of Bethold was destroyed. But then near Bukulti Order received reinforcements from Prussia and crushed the Riga-Lithuanian army. At the end the Hanseatic League forced to sign peace agreement. The consensus was acquired by  Archbishop of Lund in 1304. 21. March. Order must have its lost possessions back, the wall must be built to separate Order’s castle and Riga, Order could not make new fortifications, town could build the bridge over river Riga, but cannot disrupt the Order’s sea vessel movement, and both side must not disrupt each others trading.Order bought the Daugavgriva monastery and turned into fortress. That was vital gain for the Order.

Order gained victory, but did bother to note peace terms. They confiscated Riga trade ships and attacked the traders. Riga tried to gain Lithuanian help, complained to Rome, but nothing worked. The war erupted again in 1316. and the fortress of Daugavgriva was sieged.   But Order outmatched again by paying large sums of money to the Pope and Daugavgriva was declared as “eternal possession of Order”. In 1328. war again gained its height as the Daugavgriva was attacked again.  Lithuania was asked for help and they came, but Order captured the four Archbishops castles in advance and gained support from Prussia. In 1329. the siege of Riga begun. It lasted a half of year. 1330. 20. March Riga was forced to surrender. To humiliate the defenders of Riga, they were ordered to cut a hole into city wall so the knights of the Order can go through there besides the main gate. Now Order had gained full control of Riga and city became the town of Order. The Coat of Arms changed adding Crusaders Cross and Lion into gate of Riga.

Riga grow rapidly despite the wars. The stories of most significant Medieval foundations in Riga will follow in future posts.